Staphylococcus aureus is a relatively uncommon cause of meningitis associated with high mortality in neonates and neurosurgical patients. The infrequency of this infection has made its study difficult and has complicated the issues of treatment and prognosis. We reviewed 28 cases of S. aureus meningitis occurring over a 10-year period at three hospitals. Eight cases in children and 20 in adults were identified. Seventy-five percent of the children and 35% of the adults had central nervous system trauma or surgery; 45% of adults had comorbid disease that might have predisposed them to infection. Clinical presentation did not distinguish this form of meningitis from other bacterial meningitides. Findings in cerebrospinal fluid were characteristic of acute bacterial meningitis. Blood cultures were positive in 65% of cases. Overall mortality was 37%; 50% of adults but no children died of meningitis. No patients with S. aureus meningitis complicating cerebrospinal fluid shunts died; however, nine of 11 patients with identifiable foci of infection outside the central nervous system died. Only one patient receiving initial treatment with a penicillinase-resistant penicillin died of meningitis, whereas six of 12 patients not so treated died.